After back-to-back 16-win seasons, which ended in the section semifinals, Champion Christian High is looking for more, and the Mustangs have the talent, experience and depth to make a run at the North Valley League and Northern Section Division VI titles.

The Mustangs return eight players, accounting for nearly 100 precent of the team’s scoring last season.

“On paper we probably have the best team in Division VI from an experience standpoint, but you have to put it together on the court,” Champion coach Dan Swagerty said.

Junior Andy Roberts returns for his third year in the starting lineup after averaging 10.6 points per game as a freshman and 15.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a sophomore.

Also back is senior Nate Van Tol, the team’s second-leading scorer (13.3 points per game) and leading rebounder (14.4 rebounds per game), who got a late start in practice — he was the leading rusher and receiver for Champion’s Division VI football championship team.

Not on the roster is a true point guard.

“I’ve got a guy who can handle pressure and another who can run an offense, but there is no compactor to make them one person,” Swagerty said.

Therefore, the ball-handling responsibilities will be shared.

Joining Roberts and Van Tol in the starting lineup will be juniors Robert Pease and Cory Wijnhamer and senior Calvin Wijnhamer.

“How we may go this year may depend on the two Wijnhamer brothers, the two big kids,” said Swagerty, who will get bench help from seniors Matt Ritchie, who started some games for the Mustangs last season but is still a couple weeks away from overcoming an injury, and Josh Reynolds, who has not played since his freshman year, and Kyle Greenwood, who was the junior varsity’s starting point guard in 2004-2005.

“If there’s been a monkey on Champion’s back the last few years it’s been our inability to get first-shot rebounds on defense,” Swagerty said. “If we can control the defensive boards and give them only one shot, if any, I’ll put us against anybody on our level and take our chances.”